Lazio and Juve even in first leg semi finals

TURIN, Italy ● Lazio needed a late equalizer to draw 1-1 at Juventus in the first leg of the Italian Cup semifinals on Tuesday, and extended its unbeaten streak to 16 matches.

In a match between two of the top teams in Serie A, Federico Peluso put Juventus ahead with a header following a free kick in the 63rd minute.

Juventus had chances to double its lead, including a shot off the post from Arturo Vidal in the 72nd, and paid the price when Stefano Mauri equalized for Lazio in the 86th.

Mauri latched onto a corner kick with a shot from the far post that Juve’s reserve goalkeeper Marco Storari should have stopped. Gianluigi Buffon, Juve’s first-choice keeper, had been rested.

The return leg is next week, while Roma hosts Inter Milan in the other semifinal, first leg on Wednesday.

After a balanced first half that saw neither side in control, Juventus gained the edge in the second half and nearly went ahead with a volley from Alessandro Matri that was tipped over the bar by Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti in the 55th.

Vidal also had a chance in the 80th.

“In the second half we really struggled, but Federico made a lot of saves and then we were able to equalize,” Mauri said. “I think at the end the draw was deserved.”

Lazio extended its unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 wins and six draws.